The One Thing Study is a devotional tool. It engages God in a two-way conversation by reading Scripture and prayer. God speaks to us through His Word, and we talk to God in prayer. Healthy relationships consist of two-way communication.
The One Thing Study is a priority. The Great Commission is vertical before it is horizontal. First, allow it to fill your heart with the truths of Scripture. Then introduce it to your disciple(s). Let it be the first tool you teach them.
The One Thing Study is simple. Because it's simple, it's transferrable. It naturally spreads from one disciple-making generation to another. It consists of the following steps — for memorization purposes, they spell the word ONE.
The One Thing Study is powerful. Don't confuse simple with shallow. The One Thing Study is transforming. Because it allows people to hear the voice of God speak through the Word of God. The result of a One Thing study is worship—personal interaction with our great Creator, gracious Redeemer, and glorious King.
The One Thing Study is a priority. The Great Commission is vertical before it is horizontal. First, allow it to fill your heart with the truths of Scripture. Then introduce it to your disciple(s). Let it be the first tool you teach them.
The One Thing Study is simple. Because it's simple, it's transferrable. It naturally spreads from one disciple-making generation to another. It consists of the following steps — for memorization purposes, they spell the word ONE.
The One Thing Study is powerful. Don't confuse simple with shallow. The One Thing Study is transforming. Because it allows people to hear the voice of God speak through the Word of God. The result of a One Thing study is worship—personal interaction with our great Creator, gracious Redeemer, and glorious King.
Step 1. O = Observe the Scripture.
Read the Bible. The Bible consists of two main sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each testament contains several books, which include chapters. Each chapter usually has one or more passages. A passage has an italicized heading and typically comprises one or more paragraphs. How much of the Bible you read at a time is up to you. Some read a passage at a time, others one or more chapters at a time.
The word of God ignites our worship of God, which drives our witness for God. |
Start at the beginning of a book. Then read the entire book. First-time readers are encouraged to start in the New Testament by reading one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) or the book of Romans. The Gospels tell about the life of Jesus Christ. Romans is the most theologically comprehensive book in the Bible. An excellent Old Testament book to read is the first book, Genesis. It describes the origin of humanity and displays the nature of God. Psalms and Proverbs are rich readings as well. Read a translation that is easy to understand. The New Living Translation (NLT) is a reliable and easy-to-comprehend translation.
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Step 2. N = Note the one thing that speaks to your heart the most.
Mark the One Thing that resonates the most with you. It may be a word, phrase, sentence, or verse. Underline it, highlight it, or circle it. Whatever you do, make sure you mark it! Marking your one thing allows for easy access for personal reflection or when sharing with others.
The smaller the One Thing, the better. Meditating on a word or phrase is much easier than thinking about a large section of Scripture. Dwelling on one or just a few words of Scripture throughout the day is a powerful experience.
The smaller the One Thing, the better. Meditating on a word or phrase is much easier than thinking about a large section of Scripture. Dwelling on one or just a few words of Scripture throughout the day is a powerful experience.
People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. — Matthew 4:4 |
Stick with it even if the first reading is not productive. If nothing speaks to your heart, stop, and ask God to help you hear His voice as you reread the Scripture. If several things speak to your heart, ask God to help you notice just one that speaks to you the most. Trying to meditate on too many things can dilute the impact of thinking about only one thing. Begin your next One Thing Study where you left off. to edit.
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Step 3. E = Express it back to God.
Pray your One Thing back to God. Have a conversation with God about what He just said to you. The key is that it's meaningful. The goal is worship. The intended outcome is reverent love for the Lord. The kind of spiritual refreshment that encourages your heart and stays with you the rest of the day.
Pray your One Thing with responsiveness in mind. It may be a truth to reflect upon, a directive to obey, or a promise to embrace. It can be a confession to make, praise to offer, or an open-ended question for the Holy Spirit to answer throughout the day.
Pray your One Thing with your nature in mind. Perfectionists need to be mindful of not always looking for something to correct or ways to improve. Instead, give thanks or offer praise. Others need to be aware of not just going through the motions. You will get out of this what you put into it. As Rick Warren says, "We are as spiritually mature as we choose to be."
Share your One Thing personally. When sharing with others, speak in the first person (I and me) rather than the more second or third person. Try avoiding using words like we, you, they and them, when sharing your One Thing. Remember, this is about what God is saying to us, not to others through us.
Listening to people share about their One Thing study is like putting a spiritual stethoscope against their heart. It reveals their spiritual health, the depth, and intimacy of their relationship with God. The measure of spiritual maturity is often discerned by listening to someone share their One Thing.
Pray your One Thing with your nature in mind. Perfectionists need to be mindful of not always looking for something to correct or ways to improve. Instead, give thanks or offer praise. Others need to be aware of not just going through the motions. You will get out of this what you put into it. As Rick Warren says, "We are as spiritually mature as we choose to be."
Share your One Thing personally. When sharing with others, speak in the first person (I and me) rather than the more second or third person. Try avoiding using words like we, you, they and them, when sharing your One Thing. Remember, this is about what God is saying to us, not to others through us.
Listening to people share about their One Thing study is like putting a spiritual stethoscope against their heart. It reveals their spiritual health, the depth, and intimacy of their relationship with God. The measure of spiritual maturity is often discerned by listening to someone share their One Thing.